Back-to-back FCS titles boost North Dakota State financially

Fargo, ND (Sports Network) - North Dakota State's second straight FCS national
championship will keep the marketing, sales and ticket departments quite busy
at the Missouri Valley Football Conference university.

Bison athletics reaped the benefits of their first FCS national title last year. Saturday's title-game victory over Sam Houston State for the second straight year - this time by a 39-13 margin - will expand these glory days within the program.

Season tickets were capped at 12,100 for home games at the Fargodome this past
season, Josh Hemingway, NDSU's director of tickets/events and facility
operations, said Monday, but that's probably not nearly enough among the
Bison's rabid fan base, which took Frisco, Texas, by storm once again during
championship week.

The back-to-back national titles will continue to boost NDSU in many financial
areas, including advertising, booster and corporate donations, and sales. The
football booster club also enjoyed exceptional growth after last season's
title.

"Our licensing revenue will see an increase from not only the increase demand
for NDSU products but also additional sales and royalties from NCAA national
championship merchandise," said Troy Goergen, NDSU senior associate athletic
director/marketing.

"Sponsorship retention should be high due to success and we will see increased
interest from new sponsors due to national exposure and success of program."

Next season, Bison coach Craig Bohl will return almost all of his key starters
from this season's team, which had a 14-1 record. The MVC champions will be
favored to win a third straight FCS title, a feat which has only been
accomplished by Appalachian State from 2005-07.